Method for securing a device in a docking station

ABSTRACT

A docking station formed of a tray having a clamping portion coupled to a receiver portion for motion along a travel axis therebetween. A lever is coupled for moving the clamping portion between an expanded position spaced away from the receiver portion, and a retracted position adjacent to the receiver portion. The lever includes a preload portion that is adapted for preloading the clamping portion in the retracted position, and a latching portion that is coupled for retaining the clamping portion in the retracted position. The preload portion of the lever is a resiliently bendable member, such as a spring. Optionally, the lever is a second class lever.

This application claims priority benefit of copending parent U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/285,213 filed in the name of Jeffrey D.Carnevali on the same date herewith, the complete disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to trays for holding portabledevices, and in particular to quick release docking stations forportable computers and other portable electronics devices having one ormore input/output (I/O) communication ports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable electronic devices, such as laptop computers and other portableelectronic devices, are generally equipped with connectors and ports forfunction expansion. Docking stations for portable laptop computers andother portable electronic device are generally well-known for providingsuch expanded capability through one or more connectors coupled, inturn, to auxiliary power and peripheral devices, such as a hard diskdrive, mouse, printer, etc.

However, known docking station apparatus are limited in their ability toprovide the above expansion efficiently and reliably.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention the docking station is formedof a tray having a clamping portion coupled to a receiver portion formotion along a travel axis therebetween.

According to one aspect of the invention, a preload lever is coupled formoving the clamping portion between an expanded position spaced awayfrom the receiver portion, and a retracted position adjacent to thereceiver portion. The preload lever includes a preload portion that isadapted for preloading the clamping portion in the retracted position,and a latching portion that is coupled for retaining the clampingportion in the retracted position.

The preload lever has a fulcrum portion that is coupled to the receiverportion, a load portion that is coupled to the clamping portion, aresistance arm interconnecting the load portion and the fulcrum portion,and an effort arm that is coupled for driving the load portion relativeto the fulcrum portion. Either the effort arm or the resistance armincludes the preload portion of the preload lever. The preload portionof the preload lever is a resiliently bendable member, such as a spring.

By example and without limitation, the preload lever is a second classlever.

Other aspects of the invention are detailed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood by reference to the following detailed description,when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the docking stationof the invention configured in an open state for receiving an electronicdevice;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the docking station of FIG. 1configured in a closed state for retaining the electronic device in adocking tray portion thereof;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view showing the docking station of FIG. 1configured in a closed state with the electronic device removed forclarity;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the docking station of FIG. 1 in theopen state showing a preload lever coupled between a receiver portionand clamping portion of the docking tray portion;

FIG. 5 is another cross-section view of the docking station of FIG. 1 inthe closed state showing operation of the preload lever for drawing theclamping portion toward the receiver portion of the docking trayportion;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the docking station of FIG. 1showing a mounting structure for mounting the docking station in anautomobile or other vehicle; and

FIG. 7 is another cross-section view of the docking station of FIG. 1showing the preload lever having a preload portion that is structuredfor preloading the docking tray 12 in the closed state shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As required, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the present dockingstation is disclosed herein. However, techniques, systems and operatingstructures in accordance with the present docking station may beembodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may bequite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently,the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein aremerely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford thebest embodiment for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis forthe claims herein which define the scope of the present docking station.The following presents a detailed description of an illustrativeembodiment (as well as some alternative embodiments) of the presentdocking station.

In the Figures, like numerals indicate like elements.

With reference to the Figures, the present invention is a dockingstation 10 having docking tray 12 formed of a receiver portion 14 forreceiving an electronic device 16, such as a portable laptop computer,or other portable electronic device intended to be operated with adocking station, and a clamping portion 18 for securing portable device16 in mechanical and electrical contact with an extension connector 20(FIG. 3) positioned in a base portion 22 of receiver portion 14substantially opposite of clamping portion 18. The extension connector20 is coupled to an extension module 24 positioned adjacent to baseportion 22 of receiver portion 14. Receiver portion 14 also includes alatch mechanism 26, such as but not limited to a lockable latch. Latchmechanism 26 is optionally positioned adjacent to base portion 22 ofreceiver portion 14 adjacent to one side thereof.

Docking station 10 is operable between an open state (FIG. 1) havingclamping portion 18 arranged in an expanded position spaced away fromreceiver portion 14 for receiving electronic device 16 into base portion22 of receiver portion 14, and a closed state (FIG. 2) having clampingportion 18 arranged in a retracted position adjacent to receiver portion14 for retaining electronic device 16 in docking tray 12.

FIG. 4 illustrates docking station 10 in the open state shown in FIG. 1having clamping portion 18 arranged in the expanded position spaced awayfrom receiver portion 14 for receiving electronic device 16 into baseportion 22 with electronic device 16 engaged with extension connector20. Here, clamping portion 18 is movably coupled to receiver portion 14,for example, in sliding connection therewith, for moving relative toreceiver portion 14 between the open state and the closed state.Clamping portion 18 is movable by operation of a preload lever 28coupled between receiver portion 14 and clamping portion 18 for drivingalternately clamping portion 18 into the expanded position spaced awayfrom receiver portion 14, and the retracted position adjacent toreceiver portion 14.

For example but without limitation, preload lever 28 has a fulcrumportion 30 that is rotatably coupled to receiver portion 14 in apivoting relationship therewith, and a load portion 32 that is coupledto clamping portion 18 in a driving relationship therewith, with aresistance arm 34 interconnecting load portion 32 and fulcrum portion30. For example, a rotatable coupling 36 is formed of a pin 38 fixed inreceiver portion 14 of docking tray 12 rotatably engaged with a matingaperture 40 formed in fulcrum portion 30 of lever 28. A slidingconnection 42 is, by example and without limitation, formed as a pin 44fixed in clamping portion 18 of docking tray 12 and slidingly engagedwith a mating slot 46 formed in load portion 32 of lever 28. Loadportion 32 structured between preload lever 28 and clamping portion 18in a position between resistance arm 34 and an effort arm 48 of lever28, wherein effort arm 48 is coupled for driving load portion 32relative to fulcrum portion 30.

A latching portion 50 of lever 28 is releasably coupled with receiverportion 14 for retaining clamping portion 18 of docking tray 12 in theretracted position, and simultaneously preloading load portion 32 oflever 28 for compressing clamping portion 18 of docking tray 12 againstreceiver portion 14. For example, latching portion 50 of lever 28 is anaperture that engages latch mechanism 26 of receiver portion 14 forretaining clamping portion 18 of docking tray 12 against receiverportion 14 when lever 28 is operated (arrow 52) for driving clampingportion 18 along a travel axis (arrow 54) oriented substantiallyperpendicularly between clamping portion 18 and receiver portion 14.

FIG. 5 illustrates docking station 10 in the closed state of FIG. 2having clamping portion 18 arranged in the retracted position adjacentto receiver portion 14 for retaining electronic device 16 in dockingtray 12, wherein electronic device 16 is removed for clarity.

Optionally, one or more guides 56 are structured between clampingportion 18 of docking tray 12 and receiver portion 14 for guidingclamping portion 18 along travel axis (arrow 54) relative to receiverportion 14. For example, one or more extensions 58 of clamping portion18 slide in one or more cavities 60 formed in receiver portion 14.

Optionally, clamping portion 18 of docking tray 12 is spring activatedrelative to receiver portion 14 for substantially automaticallyexpanding docking tray 12 from closed state (FIG. 2) to open state (FIG.1). For example, a compression spring or other resilient biasingmechanism 62 is positioned between extensions 58 of clamping portion 18and cavities 60 in receiver portion 14 for urging clamping portion 18away from receiver portion 14 along travel axis 54.

FIG. 6 illustrates receiver portion 14 of docking tray 12 having amounting structure 64 for mounting docking station 10 in an automobileor other vehicle.

FIG. 7 illustrates lever 28 having a preload portion 66 that isstructured for preloading load portion 32 of lever 28 when docking tray12 is in the closed state (FIG. 2) at least with electronic device 16installed therein. For example, either one or both of resistance arm 34and effort arm 48 of lever 28 includes preload portion 66 embodied as aresiliently bendable member for applying a desired preload betweenclamping portion 18 and receiver portion 14 of docking tray 12 whendocking tray 12 is in the closed state with electronic device 16installed therein, whereby clamping portion 18 is preloaded in theretracted position with electronic device 16 clamped between baseportion 22 of receiver portion 14 and clamping portion 18. For example,resiliently bendable member is a plate spring of a desired springstiffness which is suited to the purpose of maintaining constantelectrical contact between portable device 16 and extension connector 20in base portion 22 of receiver portion 14.

Preferably, resiliently bendable lengthwise portion 66 of lever 28 isincluded as a portion of effort arm 48 positioned between load portion32 and latching portion 50 of lever 28. Plate spring lengthwise portion66 of effort arm 48 is sufficiently stiff to effectively retractclamping portion 18 relative to receiver portion 14 when operated byuser, yet is sufficiently flexible for compressing clamping portion 18of docking tray 12 against receiver portion 14 when docking tray 12 isin the closed state (shown) with electronic device 16 installed therein(FIG. 2).

Preload lever 28 is optionally a second class lever as illustratedhaving fulcrum portion 30 and latching portion 50 positioned adjacent toopposite ends thereof, with load portion 32 therebetween, similar to awheelbarrow. Resistance arm 34 is positioned between fulcrum portion 30and load portion 32, and effort arm 48 is positioned between loadportion 32 and latching portion 50. Drive force 68 is applied to ahandle 70 of lever 28 positioned adjacent to latching portion 50 at endof effort arm 48 opposite from fulcrum portion 30 and load portion 32.

Optionally, preload lever 28 is a first class lever similar to a see-sawwith fulcrum portion 30 positioned between load portion 32 and effortarm 48, with resistance arm 34 positioned between fulcrum portion 30 andload portion 32. Although first class preload lever 28 is configureddifferently than shown for second class preload lever 28. In stillanother embodiment, preload lever 28 is a third class lever with fulcrumportion 30 positioned adjacent to a first end and load portion 32positioned adjacent to the opposite end, with effort arm 48 positionedbetween fulcrum portion 30 and load portion 32, similar to a baseballbat.

In operation, as docking station 10 is alternately cycled between theopen state (FIG. 1) and the closed state (FIG. 2), the fulcrum portion30 of preload lever 28 is pivotable relative to receiver portion 14 byapplying drive force 68 to handle 70 of lever 28. Simultaneously withpivoting of fulcrum portion 30 of preload lever 28, opposing latchingportion 50 of preload lever 28 is rotatable (arrow 52) between anunlatched position that is disengaged and spaced away from latchmechanism 26 of receiver portion 14 and corresponds to the open state ofdocking station 10 having clamping portion 18 arranged in the expandedposition thereof, and a latched position that is engaged with latchmechanism 26 and corresponds to the closed state of docking station 10having clamping portion 18 arranged in the refracted position thereof.During operation (arrow 52) at least preload portion 66 of lever 28 isresiliently bent toward base portion 22 of receiver portion 14 and latchmechanism 26, whereby lever 28 is preloaded in the closed state ofdocking station 10. Accordingly, substantially constant electricalcontact is maintained between portable device 16 and extension connector20 in base portion 22 of receiver portion 14.

For removal of portable device 16, latching portion 50 of lever 28 isreleased from latch mechanism 26, whereby resilient preload portion 66of lever 28 operates for springing latching portion 50 away from latchmechanism 26. When present, resilient biasing mechanism 62 urgesclamping portion 18 away from receiver portion 14 along travel axis 54.Else, operator retracts clamping portion 18 away from receiver portion14 along travel axis 54. Thereafter, portable device 16 is removablefrom receiver portion 14 of docking tray 12.

While the preferred and additional alternative embodiments of theinvention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciatedthat various changes can be made therein without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it will be appreciatedthat various changes can be made therein without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the inventor makes thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for securing a device in a dockingstation, the method comprising: in a docking station, coupling aclamping portion of a tray to a receiver portion thereof for motionalong a travel axis therebetween; positioning an extension connector ina base portion of the receiver portion substantially opposite ofclamping portion; coupling a lever between the clamping portion and thereceiver portion; actuating the lever for moving the clamping portionbetween an expanded position spaced away from the receiver portion, anda retracted position adjacent to the receiver portion; resilientlydeflecting the lever for preloading the clamping portion toward thereceiver portion in the refracted position; and latching the lever forretaining the clamping portion in the retracted position.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising adjusting a preload applied byresiliently deflecting the lever.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereinadjusting the preload further comprises adjusting a spring rate of thelever.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein a preload portion of the leverfurther comprises a spring.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein couplingthe lever further comprises: coupling a fulcrum portion thereof to thereceiver portion, coupling a load portion thereof to the clampingportion, interconnecting a resistance arm between the load portion andthe fulcrum portion, and coupling an effort arm thereof for driving theload portion relative to the fulcrum portion.
 6. The method of claim 4,wherein resiliently deflecting the lever further comprises forming theeffort arm thereof with a resiliently deflectable preload portion. 7.The method of claim 4, wherein resiliently deflecting the lever furthercomprises forming the resistance arm thereof with a resilientlydeflectable preload portion.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein couplingthe lever further comprises coupling the lever as a second class lever.9. The method of claim 1, further comprising structuring a guide betweenthe clamping portion of the tray and the receiver portion thereof. 10.The docking station of claim 9, further comprising spring activating theclamping portion relative to the receiver portion for urging theclamping portion from the retracted position to the expanded position.11. A method for securing a device in a docking station, the methodcomprising: in a tray portion of a docking station, coupling a clampingportion of the tray to a receiver portion thereof for motion along atravel axis therebetween; coupling a lever for moving the clampingportion between an expanded position spaced away from the receiverportion, and a retracted position adjacent to the receiver portion; andoperating the lever for moving the clamping portion into the retractedposition, operating the lever further comprising latching a latchingportion of the lever for retaining the clamping portion in the refractedposition, and applying a preload for resiliently urging the clampingportion toward the receiver portion in the retracted position.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein coupling the lever further comprises:coupling a fulcrum portion thereof to the receiver portion, coupling aload portion thereof to the clamping portion, interconnecting aresistance arm between the load portion and the fulcrum portion, andcoupling an effort arm for driving the load portion relative to thefulcrum portion.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein applying a preloadfurther comprises resiliently deflecting the effort arm of the lever.14. The method of claim 12, wherein applying a preload further comprisesresiliently deflecting the resistance arm of the lever.
 15. The methodof claim 11, further comprising guiding the clamping portion of the trayrelative to the receiver portion thereof.
 16. The method of claim 15,further comprising resiliently biasing the clamping portion away thereceiver portion for urging the clamping portion from the retractedposition to the expanded position.
 17. A method for securing a device ina docking station, the method comprising: providing a tray comprising areceiver portion with a clamping portion coupled thereto for motionalong a travel axis oriented substantially perpendicularly therebetween;coupling a lever for moving the clamping portion between an expandedposition spaced away from the receiver portion along the travel axis,and a retracted position adjacent to the receiver portion, coupling thelever further comprising: rotatably coupling a fulcrum portion to thereceiver portion in a pivoting relationship therewith, coupling a loadportion to the clamping portion in a driving relationship therewith,interconnecting a resistance arm between the load portion and thefulcrum portion, coupling an effort arm for driving the load portionrelative to the fulcrum portion, and coupling a latching portion forretaining the clamping portion in the retracted position andsimultaneously preloading the load portion of the lever, and adaptingone of the effort arm and the resistance arm for preloading the clampingportion in the refracted position.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereincoupling the lever further comprises forming a second class lever. 19.The method of claim 17, wherein adapting one of the effort arm and theresistance arm for preloading the clamping portion further comprisesforming the effort arm as a spring member.
 20. The method of claim 17,wherein adapting one of the effort arm and the resistance arm forpreloading the clamping portion further comprises forming the resistancearm as a spring member.